Whose side of the story do you believe?

Story TOpics

An Cairo court on Tuesday banned all activities of Hamas in Egypt and ordered the seizure of its offices and assets.

The Palestinian Islamist group that rules neighboring Gaza is an offshoot of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, which the military has declared a terrorist group since it ousted Brotherhood leader and then-president Mohamed Morsi in 2011.

“The court has ordered the banning of Hamas work and activities in Egypt,” the judge, who asked to remain anonymous, told Reuters. The courthamas-idUSBREA230F520140304” target=”_blank”>also ordered the closure of Hamas offices in the country.

“The decision harms the image of Egypt and its role towards the Palestinian cause,” he told Reuters. “It reflects a form of standing against Palestinian resistance.”

According to BBC, Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy told a news conference he was not aware of the ruling, but added: “Whoever threatens Egypt’s security should understand that there will be consequences.”

The judge stopped short Tuesday of declaring Hamas a terrorist group, saying the court did not have the jurisdiction to do so, Reuters reported.